Narrator Two innkeepers were standing by their doors discussing the day's business. They were friends but each was always keen to outdo the other on the quality of guests they could attract.
Jacob I've never seen Bethlehem so busy.
Shem No, neither have I, everyone is here for the census.
Jacob I've been run off my feet, they ache all the time.
Shem Mine too. How many rooms have you got left?
Jacob Just one, how about you?
Shem Like you, just one.
Strangers arrive and pause near inns
Stranger 1 Now let me get this right. You say you were told in a dream that a King would come to Bethlehem tonight.
Stranger 2 That's right. That was my dream.
Stranger 1 But which King and why is he coming to Bethlehem?
Stranger 2 I told you, I don't know, but the message was clear, tonight a king will be here in Bethlehem.
Stranger 1 I know you had a dream about the rain that broke the drought last year so I should believe youÉ
Stranger2 But you don't, we'll wait and see.
Strangers leave
Jacob Did you hear that? A king, coming to Bethlehem, tonight.
Shem It was just someone's dream, you don't believe that do you? Why would a king come to Bethlehem?
Jacob Perhaps he is coming for the census too. I wonder where he would stay; there are no palaces in Bethlehem.
Shem He might stay at an inn, wouldn't it be great if he stayed at my inn.
Jacob Or mine. I'm going to save a room just in case he calls.
Elizabeth, clean that last room again, make it ready for someone important, I've heard a king is coming to Bethlehem tonight.
Elizabeth Really, I'll put a vase of flowers in there and make it really special. You will have to help, we are already nearly full and there are meals to cook, the room to clean, the washing to do, the ironingÉ.
Jacob OK, I'll help.
Goes inside. A family arrive and knock at the door.
Father Excuse me sir, do you have a room for my family for the night?
Jacob No, sorry we're full.
Elizabeth What about theÉ..
Jacob As I said we're full. Have you tried that inn, I think they have a room left.
Father Thank you, Goodbye.
Family head off to the other inn
Elizabeth Why did you send him away, his family looked so tired and we do have a room.
Jacob I know, but if everywhere else is full then the king must stay here.
Jacob and Elizabeth go inside. Family arrive at Shem's inn.
Father Do you have any room for us in your inn, sir. We've walked all day and are so tired and hungry.
Shem Slowly Yes, I do have one room left, I was going to keep it for someone else but you obviously need it. Come in and go straight up the stairs.
Ruth I thought you were going to keep that room for the king, Dad.
Shem I was, but I've changed my mind. If the king does come here, which is very unlikely, he will have to go somewhere else. These poor people need shelter more than a rich king does.
Shem hangs up full sign. Mary and Joseph arrive at Jacob's inn.
Mary Here's an inn. Perhaps we will be lucky this time.
Joseph knocks, Jacob comes to the door.
Joseph Excuse me sir, we were wonderingÉ.
Jacob No sorry we're full
Joseph But my wife is going to have a baby. We must have somewhere to stay.
Jacob I'm sorry, but I have no room. Perhaps you could try over there.
Joseph Thank you.
They slowly walk away to Shem's inn.
Elizabeth Really Jacob, you should have let those poor people have that room. What is that poor woman going to do?
Jacob I don't know and I don't care. That room is for a king, not a peasant baby.
Mary and Joseph arrive at Shem's inn and knock
Joseph Sir do you have any room in you inn.
Shem No, sorry I've just filled the last room
Joseph Please, haven't you anywhere we could stay, my wife is going to have a baby.
Shem A baby, oh dear. Have you tried over there?
Joseph Yes, his inn is full too.
Shem There is no room inside but if you are really desperate you can stay in the stable with the animals, its not much but it is all I can offer.
Joseph looks at Mary who nods.
Joseph Thank you sir, we'll take it.
Shem, Mary and Joseph leave the stage together.
Christmas carol to sum up the events of that night.
Both innkeepers outside the inns
Shem You look weary, didn't you get much sleep last night?
Jacob No, I sat up half the night waiting for that king to knock at my door but he didn't. A dream, and I believed it! You look tired too, did you sir up waiting as well.
Shem Me? No. Our rooms were full. A woman had a baby here last night and caused some excitement.
Jacob Excitement, what do you mean?
Shem Well, some shepherds arrived and said that angels had told them about the birth of the baby.
Jacob Angels?
Shem Yes. They said that t6his baby was to be a king.
Jacob A king? That baby! But they were just peasants.
Shem They said you told them your inn was full.
Jacob I don't believe it. They came but I sent them away. I was expecting someone quite different. Fancy you having a king under your roof! It was lucky you had room for them.
Shem But I didn't have room. They had to sleep in the stable; it was the only place I could find.
Jacob And I had an empty room here all the time. If only I had knownÉ.
Jacob and Shem leave the stage and return with everyone, Mary now with doll.